JP2010139321A - Mobile wireless terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mobile wireless terminal which can perform positioning with required precision while reducing power consumption. <P>SOLUTION: A control section 100 updates positional information determined by GPS positioning through information on movement detected by another method to acquire information on the present position and monitors an error (an accumulated positional error) included in the information on the present position. When the error becomes not to meet an application allowable error, GPS positioning is performed again to acquire high-precision positional information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a mobile radio terminal apparatus that performs radio communication with a radio base station connected to a network.

  As is well known, mobile wireless terminal devices such as mobile phones are equipped with positioning functions such as GPS (Global Positioning System) functions in addition to the original communication functions, and position their own positions, and the positioning results are applied to application software. The convenience of the user is enhanced by using it.

  In a portable electronic device such as a mobile wireless terminal device, it is important to reduce power consumption because it is battery-driven. In GPS positioning, various proposals have been made to reduce power consumption (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In Patent Document 1, power consumption is reduced by performing positioning when the moving speed exceeds a preset threshold value. However, since positioning is performed with the moving speed as a trigger without considering positioning error, positioning may not be performed at an appropriate timing, which causes a problem in positioning performance.
JP2007-31165A

In the conventional mobile radio terminal device, when the moving speed exceeds a preset threshold value, power consumption is reduced by positioning, but the moving speed is triggered without considering the positioning error. Because positioning is performed frequently, positioning may not be performed at an appropriate timing, which has a problem in positioning performance.
The present invention has been made to solve the above problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a mobile radio terminal device capable of performing positioning with a required accuracy while reducing power consumption.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is directed to a mobile radio terminal apparatus that performs communication through a radio base station accommodated in a network, receiving radio signals respectively transmitted from a plurality of artificial satellites, Satellite positioning means for obtaining position information indicating the current position by positioning based on the signal, movement detection means for detecting the movement distance and movement direction of the mobile radio terminal device, and errors included in the detection results of the movement detection means. The error detection means for detecting, the position information obtained by the positioning by the satellite positioning means, the positioning control means for obtaining the position information by updating the position information based on the detection result of the movement detecting means, and the error according to the update by the positioning control means Error accumulating means for accumulating errors detected by the detecting means, and determining means for determining whether the accumulated error obtained by the error accumulating means exceeds a preset threshold value And the positioning control means controls the positioning means to newly acquire the position information when the determination determining means determines that the threshold value has been exceeded, and updates the position information based on the detection result of the movement detecting means. Thus, the position information is obtained, and the error accumulating means resets the obtained accumulated error when the judging means judges that the threshold value is exceeded.

  As described above, in the present invention, the position information obtained by satellite positioning is updated with the movement distance and the movement direction obtained by movement detection, and the accumulated error included in the updated position information is obtained. When the error exceeds a preset threshold value, the position information is obtained again by satellite positioning.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, since satellite positioning is performed only when the accumulated error exceeds the threshold value, a mobile radio terminal apparatus capable of performing positioning with required accuracy while reducing power consumption is provided. it can.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a mobile radio terminal apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. This mobile radio terminal apparatus performs radio communication with a base station apparatus BS accommodated in a mobile communication network NW, and performs communication through the base station apparatus BS and the mobile communication network NW. That is, in the following description, a mobile phone is described as an example of a mobile wireless terminal device, but it may be a mobile wireless terminal device that communicates by wireless communication using a public wireless LAN or the like. If it is equipped with, electronic devices, such as PDA (Personal Digital Assistance) and a portable game, may be sufficient.

  The mobile radio terminal apparatus shown in FIG. 1 includes, as main components, a control unit 100, a radio communication unit 10, a display unit 20, a call unit 30, an operation unit 40, a storage unit 70, and a GPS reception unit. 60 and a function of performing positioning based on signals received from the GPS satellites ST1 to STn by the GPS receiver 60 in addition to the function of communicating via the base station device BS and the mobile communication network NW.

The wireless communication unit 10 performs wireless communication with the base station apparatus BS in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 100. With this wireless communication, transmission / reception of voice data, e-mail data, etc., Web data, streaming data, etc. Receive.
The display unit 20 is a display unit using, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, and displays images (still images and moving images), character information, and the like under the control of the control unit 100. Display and visually convey information to the user.

The calling unit 30 includes a speaker 31 and a microphone 32. The user's voice input through the microphone 32 is converted into voice data and output to the control unit 100, or the voice data received from the other party is decoded and the speaker. 31 is output.
The operation unit 40 includes letters, numbers, a plurality of key switches for inputting predetermined commands, and the like, and receives instructions from the user through this.

The sensor unit 50 includes a geomagnetic sensor that detects geomagnetism and an acceleration sensor that detects acceleration.
The GPS receiving unit 60 is driven and controlled by the control unit 100, receives GPS signals transmitted from a plurality of GPS (Global Positioning System) satellites ST1 to STn, and outputs them to the control unit 100.

  The storage unit 70 is a control program and control data of the control unit 100, application software, address data for managing names and telephone numbers associated with each communication partner, transmitted / received e-mail data, Web data downloaded by Web browsing In addition, downloaded content data is stored, and streaming data is temporarily stored. Specifically, it is configured by an HDD, a RAM, a ROM, a flash memory, or the like, and can be configured by one of these or a combination of a plurality.

  In addition, the storage unit 70 associates map data, names of features and events, information on latitude / longitude / altitude indicating these positions, information indicating the degree of congestion such as whether the area is a downtown area or a suburb for each area, and the like. Geographical Information System) Stores information. The GIS information may be stored in advance in the storage unit 70, or necessary GIS information may be downloaded from the GIS server through the mobile communication network and stored in the storage unit 70.

  The storage unit 70 stores the date and time of positioning and the positioning result (latitude, longitude, and altitude) in association with each other as positioning history data measured in the past. An error parameter indicating an error value is stored.

  The control unit 100 includes a microprocessor, operates in accordance with a control program and control data stored in the storage unit 70, and controls each unit of the mobile radio terminal device to realize voice communication and data communication. is there. The control unit 100 also has a communication control function for displaying moving images on the display unit 20 based on transmission / reception of electronic mail, Web browsing, and downloaded streaming data, and performing voice communication.

  Further, the control unit 100 operates in accordance with the control program and control data stored in the storage unit 70, so that the application execution function 101, the positioning function 102, the movement means estimation function 103, the movement speed detection function 104, and the movement An azimuth detection function 105 and a movement detection function 106 are realized.

  The application execution function 101 executes the application program stored in the storage unit 70, and sends a positioning request to the positioning function 102, for example, at a timing instructed by the user or at a cycle timing according to the application program being executed. Do. At this time, the application execution function 101 has an attribute indicating the type of the application program being executed and the current position (for example, near the place registered at home, near the station nearest to the home, downtown or suburbs, or visited in the past) The positioning function 102 is requested to have a positioning cycle and positioning accuracy according to whether or not to promptly respond to a positioning request at a timing instructed by the user.

  This is because the positioning accuracy required by the user differs depending on the type of application program being executed, the environment and timing in which the user is placed, and high positioning accuracy is not always required. For example, when a user is at a station and calls a train timetable or a transfer information website, it is related to various landmarks in the vicinity, such as stores and restaurants where customers can buy desired items, weather information, event information, and places. Displaying the contact information of people and companies. As can be inferred from these examples, the positioning accuracy required from the application program may differ depending on the type of information required.

  For this reason, for example, when a navigation program that is one of application programs is being executed, the positioning function 102 is requested to perform positioning with high accuracy. Further, when the current position is registered as a downtown area and registered in the GIS information stored in the storage unit 70, a relatively high accuracy is required as compared with the case where the current position is registered as a suburb. When a program for searching for features or events (such as weather) such as a store or a station in the vicinity of the current position is being executed, the positioning function 102 is requested to have low accuracy. In this way, by requesting the required minimum accuracy depending on the situation, when high accuracy positioning results are not required, the processing load can be suppressed and the positioning results can be obtained more quickly and with low power consumption. Is possible.

  The positioning function 102 includes a GPS positioning function for positioning based on the GPS signal received by the GPS receiving unit 60, a base station positioning function based on position information received by the wireless communication unit 10 from the base station device BS, and a movement detection function described later. A positioning result update function for updating the positioning result based on the detection result (movement distance, movement direction, cumulative positioning error) obtained by 106 is provided.

  Then, the positioning function 102 selects a GPS positioning function, a base station positioning function, or a positioning result update function according to the positioning accuracy in response to the request from the application execution function 101, performs positioning by this selected function, and moves the movement The position information (latitude / longitude / altitude) of the wireless terminal device and the accumulated positioning error are obtained, associated with time information indicating the time of positioning, recorded as positioning history data in the storage unit 70, and notified to the application execution function 101 To do.

  The positioning function 102 first determines whether the GPS signal or the current position is unknown when the current position is unknown, such as immediately after power-on, or when the positioning history data does not exist in the storage unit 70 or is older than a predetermined time. Perform positioning based on base station positioning. In addition, the positioning function 102 performs positioning with accuracy and cycle according to the request from the application execution function 101. However, when the accuracy of the position information obtained by positioning does not satisfy the required accuracy, or the accumulated positioning error is When the threshold value is reached, GPS positioning or base station positioning is performed to obtain a positioning result with sufficient accuracy to satisfy the requirements.

  In general, when responding promptly to a positioning request at the timing instructed by the user, it is necessary to always measure the current position. However, positioning based on GPS signals has high positioning accuracy but consumes a lot of power and has a standby time. Is likely to be shorter. On the other hand, when positioning is performed using the position information received from the base station apparatus BS, power consumption can be suppressed, but positioning accuracy is lower than GPS positioning.

  Based on the acceleration information detected by the acceleration sensor in the sensor unit 50, the moving means estimation function 103 is, for example, whether the user who owns the mobile wireless terminal device is moving on foot or riding a car. Or whether you are moving on a train. As a specific determination method, the time series pattern of the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor is stored in advance for each moving unit, and the pattern detected by the acceleration sensor is compared with the most similar one. Estimate moving means.

  The moving speed detection function 104 detects the moving speed of the user who owns the mobile wireless terminal device. For example, when the moving means estimation function 103 estimates walking, the detection result of the acceleration sensor is used. The number of steps per unit time is counted, and based on this, the moving speed is estimated. Further, when the moving means detecting function 103 estimates that the vehicle is a car or a train, the moving speed is detected by accumulating the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor. In addition to the method using the acceleration sensor, the moving speed may be detected based on the fading pitch of the signal received from the base station apparatus BS as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-31165.

The moving direction detection function 105 detects the moving direction of the user who owns the mobile radio terminal device based on the detection result of the gyro sensor in the sensor unit 50.
The movement detection function 106 accumulates the movement speed detected by the movement speed detection function 104 and the movement direction detected by the movement direction detection function 105 based on the elapsed time in accordance with a request from the positioning function 102. A movement detection function for obtaining a distance and a movement direction, a movement distance and a movement direction obtained by this function, and an error value per unit movement distance corresponding to the movement means estimated by the movement means estimation function 103 (hereinafter, unit error value) The positioning error from the previous positioning to the current positioning is calculated, and this positioning error is added to the cumulative positioning error obtained by cumulatively adding the position error from the positioning start to the previous measurement. Thus, an error detection function for obtaining a cumulative positioning error from the positioning start to the current position is provided.

  The unit error value is set in advance according to the moving means, and is stored in the storage unit 70 as an error parameter. In addition, the unit error value is set to be larger than that of other moving means in consideration of the fact that when the moving means is walking, a component different from movement such as vertical movement is included.

Next, the operation of the mobile radio terminal apparatus having the above configuration will be described.
First, referring to FIG. 2, the positioning control in the initial state, that is, when the current position is unknown as immediately after the power is turned on, or when the positioning history data does not exist in the storage unit 70 or the old data has passed a predetermined time or more. The positioning control in this case will be described.

  In the situation described above, when there is a positioning request from the application execution function 101, first, in step 2a, the positioning function 102 selects the GPS positioning function, activates the GPS receiving unit 60, and converts the GPS signal received by the GPS receiving unit 60 into the GPS signal. Based on the positioning, position information (latitude / longitude / altitude) is obtained, and the process proceeds to step 2b. In step 2a, if the positioning accuracy included in the positioning request from the application execution function 101 is low, positioning by base station positioning may be performed without using the GPS positioning function.

  In step 2b, the positioning function 102 determines whether or not the GPS positioning performed in step 2a is successful. If the latitude / longitude / altitude can be measured, the process proceeds to step 2c. On the other hand, the GPS receiving unit 60 cannot receive the GPS signal, or the positioning accuracy included in the positioning request from the application execution function 101. If GPS positioning cannot be performed, for example, it cannot be satisfied, the process proceeds to step 2a and GPS positioning is performed again.

  In step 2c, the positioning function 102 records the position information obtained in step 2a and the time information indicating the time of positioning in association with the positioning history data in the storage unit 70, and notifies the application execution function 101 of the information. The process ends.

  Next, the positioning control performed after the positioning control described in FIG. 2 will be described with reference to FIG. This process is repeatedly executed until positioning stop is instructed from the application execution function 101.

  In step 3a, the positioning function 102 selects the base station positioning function or the positioning result update function according to the positioning accuracy included in the positioning request from the application execution function 101 when the predetermined period t1 has elapsed from the previous positioning, and this selection The executed function is executed, and the process proceeds to step 3b.

  Here, for example, when the base station positioning function is selected, the radio communication unit 10 performs positioning based on the position information received from the base station device BS. When the positioning result update function is selected, the movement detection function 106 is requested to perform positioning, and the movement distance, movement direction, and positioning error from the previous time to the current time are obtained.

  In step 3b, the positioning function 102 reflects the current positioning information and the current accumulated positioning error by reflecting the positioning result obtained in step 3a on the previous positioning result recorded in the positioning history data in the storage unit 70. The process proceeds to step 3c.

  In step 3c, the positioning function 102 determines whether or not a positioning request is generated from the application execution function 101, that is, whether or not the positioning cycle t2 (> t1) has arrived. If a positioning request is generated, the process proceeds to step 3d. On the other hand, if a positioning request is not generated, the process proceeds to step 3a, and positioning is performed at a predetermined cycle again by a method other than GPS positioning. .

  In step 3d, the positioning function 102 determines whether or not the current cumulative positioning error obtained in step 3b satisfies the positioning accuracy (hereinafter referred to as application allowable error) included in the positioning request. If the current cumulative positioning error does not satisfy the positioning accuracy, that is, the required accuracy is not obtained, the process proceeds to step 3e, while the cumulative positioning error satisfies the positioning accuracy, that is, is required. If the accuracy is obtained, the process proceeds to step 3h.

  In step 3e, the positioning function 102 selects the GPS positioning function, activates the GPS receiving unit 60, performs positioning based on the GPS signal received by the GPS receiving unit 60, and obtains position information (latitude / longitude / altitude). The process proceeds to step 3f.

  In step 3f, the positioning function 102 determines whether or not the GPS positioning performed in step 3e is successful. If the latitude / longitude / altitude can be measured, the process proceeds to step 3g. On the other hand, the GPS receiving unit 60 cannot receive the GPS signal, or the positioning accuracy included in the positioning request from the application execution function 101. If GPS positioning cannot be performed, for example, it cannot be satisfied, the process proceeds to step 3e and GPS positioning is performed again.

  In step 3g, the positioning function 102 resets the accumulated position error obtained in step 3b, and replaces the current position information obtained in step 3b with the position information based on the positioning result obtained in step 3e as the current position. Control goes to step 3h.

  In step 3h, the positioning function 102 associates the current position information, the current cumulative position error, and the current time with each other and records them as positioning history data in the storage unit 70, and stores these information in the application execution function 101. Notify and move to step 3a.

Next, with reference to FIG. 4, how the accumulated position error is accumulated will be described.
In response to the initial positioning request 401, the positioning function 102 performs GPS positioning and measures the current position with a certain degree of error that satisfies the application allowable error. After that, the positioning function 102 stops the GPS positioning, and instead performs the positioning by the movement detection function 106 by the positioning result update function at a predetermined period t1.

  Eventually, after the user goes through the walking and stationary states, the period t2 elapses, and the positioning request 402 is generated again from the application execution function 101. At this time, since the accumulated position error satisfies the application allowable error, positioning by the movement detection function 106 is continued at a predetermined period t1 (steps 3d, 3h, and 3a).

Thereafter, when the moving means estimating function 103 estimates that the train is used as the moving means, the accumulated position error increases rapidly and exceeds the application allowable error.
Then, after the period t2 has elapsed, a positioning request 403 is generated again from the application execution function 101. At this time, since the accumulated position error does not satisfy the application allowable error, GPS positioning (step 3e) is executed. As a result, GPS positioning higher than the positioning result update function is performed, so that the accumulated position error is reset, and position information based on this GPS positioning is notified to the application execution function 101. Thereafter, positioning by the movement detection function 106 is performed again at a predetermined cycle t1, and the cumulative position error increases little by little.

  As described above, in the mobile radio terminal device having the above-described configuration, the position information obtained by GPS positioning is updated with information related to motion detected by another method to obtain the current position, and is included in the obtained current position. Monitor the error (cumulative position error). When this error eventually does not satisfy the allowable error of the application program being executed, GPS positioning is performed again, and the current position is measured with high accuracy.

  Therefore, according to the mobile radio terminal device configured as described above, the GPS positioning is performed only when the accumulated position error does not satisfy the application allowable error. Positioning can be performed with the required accuracy while reducing.

  In addition, the type of application program being executed and the attribute of the current location (for example, whether it is near the location registered at home, whether it is near the station nearest to the home, whether it is a downtown or suburb, and the frequency of visits in the past) The cumulative position error is applied in a cycle according to whether or not the positioning request at the timing instructed by the user is promptly responded. Since it is determined whether or not the allowable error is satisfied, positioning that satisfies the application allowable error can be performed.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. For example, in the above example, it is described that the mobile radio terminal itself performs positioning based on radio signals from a plurality of GPS satellites. However, radio signals received from a plurality of GPS satellites are transmitted to a base station. It is also possible to send information to a server having a positioning function via this, obtain information measured by this server, and use this information.

  In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiment. Further, for example, a configuration in which some components are deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment is also conceivable. Furthermore, you may combine suitably the component described in different embodiment.

The circuit block diagram which shows the structure of one Embodiment of the mobile radio | wireless terminal apparatus concerning this invention. The flowchart for demonstrating the initial positioning operation | movement of the mobile radio | wireless terminal apparatus shown in FIG. The flowchart for demonstrating the positioning operation | movement after the initial stage of the mobile radio | wireless terminal apparatus shown in FIG. The figure for demonstrating the relationship between a cumulative position error and an application allowable error.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Wireless communication part, 20 ... Display part, 30 ... Call part, 31 ... Speaker, 32 ... Microphone, 40 ... Operation part, 50 ... Sensor part, 60 ... Reception part, 70 ... Memory | storage part, 100 ... Control part, 101 ... application execution function, 102 ... positioning function, 103 ... moving means estimation function, 104 ... movement speed detection function, 105 ... movement direction detection function, 106 ... movement detection function, BS ... base station apparatus, NW ... mobile communication network, ST1 ~ STn ... GPS satellite.

Claims (7)

In a mobile radio terminal device that performs communication through a radio base station accommodated in a network,
Satellite positioning means for receiving radio signals respectively transmitted from a plurality of artificial satellites and obtaining position information indicating the current position by positioning based on the received plurality of signals;
Movement detecting means for detecting the moving distance and moving direction of the mobile radio terminal device;
Error detection means for detecting an error included in the detection result of the movement detection means;
Positioning control means for updating the position information obtained by positioning by the satellite positioning means based on the detection result of the movement detecting means to obtain position information;
In accordance with the update by the positioning control means, error accumulation means for accumulating errors detected by the error detection means,
Determination means for determining whether the accumulated error obtained by the error accumulation means exceeds a preset threshold value,
When the positioning control unit determines that the determination unit has exceeded a threshold value, the positioning control unit controls the positioning unit to newly acquire position information, and updates the position information based on the detection result of the movement detection unit. For location information
The mobile radio terminal apparatus, wherein the error accumulating unit resets the obtained accumulated error when it is determined that the determination unit exceeds a threshold value. The error detecting means includes
A moving means estimating means for estimating the moving means based on the moving speed detected by the movement detecting means;
Error determining means for determining an error according to the moving means estimated by the moving means estimating means,
The mobile radio terminal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the error accumulating unit accumulates the error determined by the error determining unit in accordance with the update by the positioning control unit. The positioning control means obtains position information by updating the position information obtained by positioning by the satellite positioning means in a first period based on the detection result of the movement detecting means,
2. The determination unit according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines whether the accumulated error obtained by the error accumulation unit exceeds a preset threshold in a second period longer than the first period. Mobile radio terminal device.   The mobile radio terminal apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising an output unit that outputs position information obtained by the positioning control unit when the second period has elapsed. The positioning control means obtains position information by updating the position information obtained by positioning by the satellite positioning means in a first period based on the detection result of the movement detecting means,
The determination unit determines whether the accumulated error obtained by the error accumulation unit exceeds a preset threshold in response to a request from an application program performed in a second period longer than the first period. The mobile radio terminal apparatus according to claim 1.   6. The mobile radio terminal apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the second period varies according to the type of application program.   6. The mobile radio terminal apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the threshold varies according to the type of application program.

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